It would be easy to see what Coatesville has done this postseason and assume the Red Raiders will be playing on the first Friday in December.

Whether it’s the 143 points they’ve scored in three postseason games or the 60 points they scored on Spring-Ford in the 2011 playoffs, the Red Raiders enter tonight’s rematch with those Rams in the Class AAAA District 1 championship game, seemingly, a solid favorite.

In the words of ESPN analyst Lee Corso, “not so fast my friend.” No. 7 Spring-Ford is a hot team. The Rams, themselves, have scored 106 points this postseason and have beaten the No. 10 (Garnet Valley), No. 2 (Ridley) and No. 3 (Pennridge) seeds, all on the road.

Whatever the result ends up being, the winner will have earned it, as on today, the last day of November, these are the two best teams in District 1. Here’s some insight on what to look for in each phase of the game...

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When Spring-Ford has the ball

The Rams offense is like the Pioneer Athletic Conference’s version of Coatesville’s.

“They definitely spread the ball around, like us, and run a different style of offense that District 1 is used to playing against this time of year,” Coatesville coach Matt Ortega said. “They have playmakers everywhere.”

Spring-Ford primarily lines up in the pistol formation, using two tight ends to muscle teams up or three wide receivers to spread teams out.

A trio of backs make Spring-Ford difficult to scheme against. Jarred Jones, who missed seven regular seasons games and half of last week’s contest against Pennridge, is the star of the group.

In the last four games Jones has racked up 585 yards and four touchdowns, giving the Rams a scoring threat every time he touches the ball.

Fullback Yousef Lundi has 1,036 and 16 TDs this season, accumulating a large chunk of that while filling in for Jones as the feature back. Lundi’s carries may be down, but he is not pleasant to tackle and runs the counter well.

“It allows us to keep everybody fresh,” said Spring-Ford coach Chad Brubaker of having Jones back. “Jarred adds the home run aspect to it. When Yousef gets in the clear he’s hard to catch, but Jarred makes people miss a little bit more.”

Tate Carter is the Rams’ version of Dre Boggs, but is utilized more. Carter leads the team with 32 receptions for 504 yards and four scores, and also has 711 rushing yards and nine TDs.

“Our philosophy is to be as balanced as possible and to take what the defense gives us,” Brubaker said. “Coach Ortega has that same philosophy of trying to put people in one-on-one situations, and running the ball if they play over top. We have similar styles.”

Coatesville’s defense is best when teams are forced to run sideways, using its speed to string things out. But Neshaminy gashed the Red Raiders for 276 yards, doing much of it up the middle, including 82-yard and 54-yard TD jaunts.

Spring-Ford is a very good straight-ahead team, and its offensive line is big and physical. The Red Raiders will have their work cut out for them. And like many of its opponents, Coatesville won’t be able to load the box with a viable passing game threatening, also.

Turnovers only get more crucial this time of year, and Spring-Ford is plus-10 in turnover margin this season. Coatesville has created 22 turnovers this season and scored seven defensive touchdowns.

When Coatesville has the ball

Ultimately, Coatesville is going to try to loosen Spring-Ford’s physical line up by getting running back Daquan Worley involved early. Worley has paced the Red Raiders with 480 rushing yards and seven TDs this postseason.

“It all comes down to making (Coatesville) work for their scores,” Brubaker said. “They’re going to get some scores, but we have to make them work.”

The Rams situate with a 4-3 typically, using two safeties, which will help against Coatesville’s spread passing game. The Red Raiders will try to take one of Spring-Ford’s linebackers out of the box with twins and trips looks, giving Worley and his line a six-man front.

“We use multiple fronts and we’re not afraid to switch it up,” Brubaker said. “We prepare to be able to match up with what other teams are doing and take away what they have success with.”

The Rams’ strength is in their defensive line. Zameer McDowell, a 6-foot-5 senior defensive end, not only is a physical presence but a very athletic big man. His interception and touchdown on a screen against Ridley helped spring the Rams to that early 28-0 first-half lead. Mason Romano is another physical, tough kid in the middle.

Hunt is at his best when he has time in the pocket, which has been the case for most of the season. Teams have been reluctant to blitz Coatesville in exchange for more one-on-one matchups in the secondary. Don’t expect the same kind of time for Hunt and company tonight.

“Pressure is going to be huge,” Brubaker said. “We haven’t had a ton of sacks, but we’ve had a lot of hurries and been able to chase quarterbacks and put a lot of pressure and big hits on them. That’s affected a lot of our games. Our front four is quick with two defensive tackles that are quick and strong and defensive ends that are tall and rangy.”

With all the talk about Coatesville’s offense, and some strong words written against Spring-Ford, expect an inspired bunch opposite the Red Raiders.

“I don’t think we’ve been favored in any of our games,” Brubaker said. “The kids have to believe it’s achievable, and I think we do believe that. Coatesville is a very good football team with a lot of weapons. We’ve caused 14 turnovers in three playoff games and turned it over five times. Being plus-nine in three games is obviously a huge advantage. We have to protect the ball and put (Coatesville) into third-and-long situations and be able to make plays. Hopefully we can make them turn the ball over and give our offense a short field.”

Special Teams

Brubaker said teams have stayed away from kicking to Jones since he had two returns around 90 yards, one for a score, against Perkiomen Valley in the regular season finale. Coatesville would be wise to follow suit. David Gulati has become a pretty consistent kicker for the Rams on point after attempts.

Spring-Ford won’t have as much of a luxury kicking deep, as Worley and Boggs have both returned kickoffs for scores this season. Coatesville has four special teams TDs this year, with Jones adding a pair on punt returns, including one last week.

“We really committed at the beginning of the year to being a very good special teams team,” Ortega said. “I told special teams coach Damien Henry we have a chance to be the best special team ever here. In order to be the best, we had to commit time to it, and we put 20 to 25 minutes in a day on special teams. I really feel it’s a difference maker for us.”

Jon Bollenbach has become one of the most reliable kickers in the area for the Red Raiders.

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